Dave Dreeves played a fish in the tailwater. "For trout fishing on the Cumberland, right now this is about as good as it gets," he said. (Photos by Gary Garth, Special to The Courier-Journal)

Written by

Gary Garth
Special to The Courier-Journal

In January, following the start of a multiyear repair project at Wolf Creek Dam that forced a drastic lowering of Lake Cumberland, state fishery officials, guides, anglers and local businessmen predicted doom for the Cumberland River tailwater and its 75 miles of trout-rich water.

Nearly a year later -- a year that included drought conditions for much of the summer and fall -- the lake is still being held far below its normal pool level, but the trout are in spectacular shape. ...